View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. According to the Chomolungma chapter, what did Messner use when climbing to aid his balance?
(a) Ski sticks.
(b) Walking sticks.
(c) Pool cues.
(d) Tree branches.

2. When Messner got the idea to leave base camp and travel westward in the Rongbuk chapter, where did Messner want to go?
(a) To Shisha Pangma.
(b) To Tulshing Rimpoche.
(c) To Kathmandu.
(d) To Bengal Bay.

3. In the Tibet chapter, what "sport" did Bulle once liken mountaineering to?
(a) Pain.
(b) Rugby.
(c) Suffering.
(d) Swimming.

4. How much food did Messner have packed in his rucksack as he climbed to the upper base camp in the Chomolungma chapter?
(a) Enough for two weeks.
(b) Enough for five days.
(c) Enough for ten days.
(d) Enough for one week.

5. As Messner climbed in the Chomolungma chapter, he felt better than ever climbing above 7000 meters. What caution did Messner give himself?
(a) To not get complacent.
(b) To not go too fast.
(c) To not over-strain himself.
(d) To not lose focus.

Short Answer Questions

1. In celebration of his 36th birthday, what mountain did Messner receive a permit to climb solo?

2. After erecting his tent on the second day, how many pictures did Messner take before abandoning photography and climbing into his tent?

3. What item was NOT packed in Messner's rucksack as he climbed to the upper base camp in the Chomolungma chapter?

4. When Nena first asked Messner to go for a walk with him at the beginning of the North Col chapter to explore the area around the base camp, Messner told her to wait for him. How long did Messner think it would be before he'd be ready to go?

5. As Messner described Nena watching his ascent from the base campin the Chomolungma chapter, what did Messner liken his tracks to from Nena's perspective?

Short Essay Questions

1. As Messner packed for his ascent of Mount Everest in the Chomolungma chapter, he shared his motto regarding packing. What was Messner's motto?

2. According to Messner in the Chomolungma chapter, it would be impossible to reach the summit of Mount Everest without doing what first?

3. According to Messner in the Chomolungma chapter, why would an attempt to preplan his solo climb be madness?

4. As the expedition rested at the start of the East Rongbuk Glacier in the North Col chapter, Nena wrote in her diary that she was disillusioned with humanity. Why?

5. During the Cultural Revolution, what were the "Four Ancients" that the Chinese tried to destroy?

6. Describe what a monsoon is.

7. As Nena and Messner camped for the night at the Rongbuk river just at the edge of a village while waiting for the water to go down enough to safely cross the river in the Rongbuk chapter, what did Nena write that her big mistake of the night was?

8. What was the reaction of the world when the Chinese government announced that a Chinese expedition had successfully reached the summit of Mount Everest in 1960?

9. According to Messner in the Chomolungma chapter, why did nomads love their homelands more than stationary citizens do?

10. When climbing in the Chomolungma chapter, what function did the rest pause serve for Messner?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 908 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample